Rich in Maya culture and jungle beauty, this Belize trip will take you into the Maya Mountains to the ancient ruins of Xunantunich and Caracol and into the underground world of mysterious caves and beautiful water wonders. Settle into your lodge surrounded by pristine forests and lush trails perfect for exploration. This trip includes a visit to the refreshing Rio On Pools for a cool dip, followed by an exploration of the Rio Frio Cave. You'll also venture deep into the jungle for a challenging trek to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, where you'll explore sacred chambers filled with Maya artifacts and skeletal remains. This trip is designed to introduce you to Maya culture and history, while offering plenty of hiking, caving, and other activities to keep your body and mind engaged and excited. Welcome to Belize!
Highlights
Explore the Maya ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, and the ATM cave
Canoe down the Rio Macal and keep a keen eye out for Belizean wildlife
Visit Rio Frio, the largest cave in Belize
Choose to book additional excursions like ziplining and more
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Arrive at the Belize City airport and transfer to your jungle retreat. On the way, you can stop at the Belize Zoo where, in typical Belizean fashion, animals roam 29 acres in large natural enclosures. Your jungle lodge is located on the banks of the Macal River. Surrounded by pristine forest, your days at the lodge are filled with natural discoveries as you explore the lush vegetation of the Maya Mountains, miles of trails, and on-site farms.
After a leisurely morning, you'll canoe down the Macal River and discover Belize's wildlife. Your guide will help you spot iguanas, peccaries, coatimundis, and a variety of birds. After lunch in town, visit the Maya ruins of Xunantunich, once an important ceremonial site and the second tallest ruin in Belize. From the top, enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Cayo District of Guatemala.
Today, continue your exploration of the ancient Maya with a visit to the ruins of Caracol. Surrounded by the breathtaking Belizean jungle, a visit to the ruins offers you massive structures, haunting tombs and burial sites, and intriguing carvings that tell stories of the people who lived and worked in this fantastic Maya city. There is still much to be discovered at Caracol and archaeologists continue to dig and preserve the site. If there is time, you'll stop at Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave. A stop at the pools makes for an inviting dip, especially after the afternoon hike under the hot Belizean sun. The smooth granite rocks make for great slides, but watch your step. Even for those who prefer to stay dry, the beauty of the pools is well worth the stop. Not far from the pools is Rio Frio Cave, the largest cave in Belize. Approaching the huge mouth of the cave is a magical, almost frighteningly fantastic sensation. Long ago the cave was used as a ceremonial site for the Maya, but while the artifacts are gone, the cave still retains its mystique.
Rise early for an unforgettable adventure into the Maya underworld. Begin your journey from the lodge doors, crossing creeks and venturing deep into the Belizean jungle to reach the opening of the sacred Actun Tunichil Muknal – the Cave of the Stone Sepulcher. At the entrance, you'll be outfitted with a helmet and waterproof headlamp, then wade into the emerald-green water flowing from the cave's gaping mouth. Follow the river's path through wet and dry caverns surrounded by hanging stalactites and towering stalagmites. Your final destination is the spectacular primary chamber, where ancient kings and priests once made blood sacrifices to appease the Maya gods. Your lights reveal the ghostly outlines of skeletal ritual victims and scattered ceramic shards from ancient rituals. As this is an active archaeological site, be careful not to disturb the sleeping skeletons and artifacts before returning to the light above ground. This is a fairly strenuous excursion, so good physical condition is essential.
Click here for an alternative excursion available at Black Rock Lodge.
Day 5: Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Belize City for your departure.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for May 4, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for May 4, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,161
Notes
$419 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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